"Tennis elbow" is the most common cause of lateral elbow pain, generally caused by either work or sports related repetitive strain. In this condition, a tendon along the outside of the elbow becomes inflamed leading to pain, especially with flexing and extending the elbow.

Many treatments have been attempted, including physiotherapy and steroids, with little success. One treatment which has been very effective is the injection of the patients own blood (taken from their other non-affected arm) into their abnormal tendon. The blood recruits the patients own healing factors and heals the damaged tendon. As platelets are thought to be largely responsible, injection of concentrated platelets, extracted from the patient's blood (platelet rich plasma) is a newer, but expensive, technique.

At this point, it is unclear whether whole blood, concentrated platelets, or simply passing a ultrasound-guided needle through the abnormal tendon as a means to stimulate tissue healing (tendon fenestration) is the better treatment.

The objective of this trial is to compare platelet rich plasma, whole blood, dry needle tendon fenestration, and sham injection (with physical therapy) to identify the best and most cost-effective therapy for this debilitating condition.

Functional disability will be measured using the Liverpool Elbow Score (LES) which is an assessment tool for evaluating function based on range of motion, ulnar nerve function, and ability to perform daily activities.

Psychological impairment (depression and anxiety) will be assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) which is a reliable, validated, and practical tool for identifying and quantifying anxiety and depression.

Patients in this arm will receive a platelet rich plasma injection at the site of their lateral epicondylitis, followed by post-treatment physical therapy exercises.

Other: Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection

The subcutaneous soft tissues of the lateral elbow will be infiltrated with 1% lidocaine for local anesthetic.

A 22-gauge needle will then be placed into the tendon followed by 15-25 gentle strokes of dry needling in which the needle pierces the tendon at multiple sites.

For the PRP preparation, the Arthrex ACP system will be used. This is a closed, double syringe system which uses 16 mL of whole blood drawn from the patient's contralateral arm, using a 19G butterfly needle. The blood is centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 5 minutes and extracts 4-7 ml of PRP. No anticoagulant will be used.

Fenestration of the tendon will continue as 3mL of PRP is injected into the common extensor tendon.

The remaining PRP will be sent for analysis of platelet, WBC, and RBC concentrations.

Active Comparator: Whole Blood Injection

Patients in this arm will receive a whole blood injection at the site of their lateral epicondylitis, followed by post-treatment physical therapy exercises.

Other: Whole Blood Injection

The subcutaneous soft tissues of the lateral elbow will be infiltrated with 1% lidocaine for local anesthetic.

A 22-gauge needle will then be placed into the tendon followed by 15-25 gentle strokes of dry needling in which the needle pierces the tendon at multiple sites.

6mL of autologous whole blood will be drawn from the patient's contralateral arm, using a 19G butterfly needle.

Fenestration of the tendon will continue as 3mL of whole blood biologic agent is injected into the common extensor tendon.

The remaining 3mL will be sent for analysis of platelet, WBC, and RBC concentrations.

Active Comparator: Dry Needle Fenestration

Patients in this arm will receive 15-25 gentle strokes of dry needling (piercing of the tendon) at the site of their lateral epicondylitis, followed by post-treatment physical therapy exercises. No blood will be injected into the tendon.

Other: Dry Needle Fenestration

The subcutaneous soft tissues of the lateral elbow will be infiltrated with 1% lidocaine for local anesthetic.

3mL of autologous whole blood will be drawn from the patient's contralateral arm, using a 19G butterfly needle, and discarded.

A 22-gauge needle will then be placed into the tendon.

15-25 strokes or as many strokes required until tendon is softened of dry needling will be performed in which the needle pierces the tendon at multiple sites. No blood will be injected into the tendon.

Placebo Comparator: Sham Injection

Patients in this arm will receive a sham injection, followed by post-treatment physical therapy exercises. No blood will be injected into the tendon.

Other: Sham Injection

The subcutaneous soft tissues of the lateral elbow will be infiltrated with 1% lidocaine (no epinephrine) for local anesthetic.

3mL of autologous whole blood will be drawn from the patient's contralateral arm, using a 19G butterfly needle, and discarded.

The superficial subcutaneous soft tissues will be re-entered however, the tendon itself will not be entered and nothing will be injected.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Adult man or woman aged 18 years or greater.

Clinical diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis based on site of pain, pain elicited with active extension of the wrist in pronation and elbow extension.

Documented sonographic diagnosis of common extensor tendinosis based on tendon thickening, areas of hypoechogenicity, and loss of the normal echotexture.

Chronic symptoms (equal or greater than 3 months).

Pain of at least 5 out of 10 on a visual analog scale (VAS).

Provision of informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Acute symptom onset (less than 2 months).

History of acute elbow trauma (less than one week).

History of rheumatoid arthritis.

History of malignancy.

Pregnancy

Patients requiring anti-platelet medication for the treatment of heart attack, stroke or other medical condition.

Previous surgery for lateral epicondylitis.

Previous local injections, including steroids within the past 6 months.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01668953